Princess Eugenie – Biography, Children, and Scoliosis Journey

Princess Eugenie of York, Mrs Jack Brooksbank, born on 23 March 1990, is the younger daughter of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah, Duchess of York, and a niece of King Charles III. She is a British royal who has built a private career in the art world and co-founded the Anti-Slavery Collective, while balancing family life with her husband Jack Brooksbank and their two young sons. In May 2026, the couple announced they are expecting a third child.

Eugenie was diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of 12 and underwent major corrective surgery at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, where titanium rods were inserted into her spine. She has since spoken openly about the experience and become a patron of the hospital. As of 2026, she stands 12th in line to the British throne.

How Many Children Does Princess Eugenie Have?

Key Insights at a Glance

• Princess Eugenie is the younger daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, currently 12th in line to the British throne as of 2026.
• She underwent successful scoliosis surgery at age 12 and has become a patron of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital.
• Eugenie co-founded The Anti-Slavery Collective and works as a director at Hauser & Wirth.
• She and her sister Princess Beatrice have maintained a lower public profile compared to senior royals, often referred to as “the York princesses.”
• In May 2026, she announced her third pregnancy.

Quick Fact Table

Princess Eugenie’s Children: August and Ernest

Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank have two sons. August Philip Hawke Brooksbank was born on 9 February 2021. Ernest George Ronnie Brooksbank arrived in 2023. Both children are being raised away from the intense media spotlight that surrounds senior working royals, reflecting Eugenie and Jack’s preference for a more private family life.

Princess Eugenie’s Third Child Announcement (2026)

In May 2026, the couple announced they are expecting their third child, according to the Wikipedia article on Princess Eugenie. The exact due date has not been publicly confirmed, and the announcement was made without a fixed timeline for the birth. This news has drawn renewed interest in the expanding family of the York princesses.

Princess Eugenie’s Daughter: Who Is She?

Eugenie does not have a daughter. She has two sons, August and Ernest, and is expecting a third child whose sex has not been announced. Media references to a “daughter” may stem from confusion with other royal family members or hypothetical speculation. No reliable source confirms that Eugenie has a daughter.

Does Princess Eugenie Have Scoliosis?

Princess Eugenie’s Scoliosis Diagnosis and Surgery

Eugenie was diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of 12. In 2002, she underwent a major corrective surgery at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, where titanium rods were inserted into her spine to straighten the curve. She has described feeling “very embarrassed” before the procedure and has spoken about the difficult recovery. According to the BBC, she could not get out of bed on her own and remained on her back for ten days after the operation.

She later chose a wedding dress design that exposed the scar from that surgery, a deliberate decision she has discussed publicly. The gesture was widely seen as a way to normalise surgical scars and raise awareness of scoliosis.

Princess Eugenie’s Advocacy for Scoliosis Awareness

Since her surgery, Eugenie has become a patron of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, the same hospital where she was treated. She has used her platform to advocate for scoliosis awareness, encouraging early diagnosis and open conversation about the condition. Her willingness to show her scar at her wedding was a defining moment in this advocacy.

In interviews and public appearances, she has emphasised the importance of emotional support during treatment. Her personal experience gives her advocacy a grounded, relatable quality that resonates with families facing similar diagnoses.

What Is Princess Eugenie’s Biography?

Early Life and Education

Eugenie Victoria Helena was born on 23 March 1990 at Portland Hospital in London. She is the younger daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, and the younger sister of Princess Beatrice. She attended St George’s School in Ascot and later studied at Newcastle University, where she earned a BA in English and History of Art. Her time at university was relatively low-profile compared to that of other young royals.

Royal Duties and Charitable Work

Unlike senior working royals, Eugenie does not carry out official royal duties on behalf of the Crown. She attends major family events such as Trooping the Colour, royal weddings, and commemorations, but her public role is largely ceremonial. Her charitable work focuses on two main areas: modern slavery and scoliosis awareness.

She co-founded The Anti-Slavery Collective, an organisation that raises awareness about human trafficking and modern slavery, and continues to work with charitable organisations aligned with that mission, according to People magazine.

Marriage to Jack Brooksbank

Eugenie married Jack Brooksbank, a British marketing executive, on 12 October 2018 at St George’s Chapel, Windsor. The wedding was a public event that drew significant media attention. The couple have since built a life together in London, balancing their careers with raising their children.

Career and Philanthropy

Before her current role, Eugenie worked at Paddle8, an online auction house. She later moved to Hauser & Wirth, a prestigious contemporary art gallery, where she served as a director. Alongside her gallery work, she remains active in philanthropy through The Anti-Slavery Collective. Her career path reflects a deliberate choice to build professional credentials outside the royal household.

What Will Princess Eugenie Do in 2026?

Expected Events and Milestones for 2026

The most concrete development for 2026 is the expected birth of Eugenie’s third child, announced in May 2026. Beyond this, no specific public engagements, tours, or official plans have been confirmed for her. She is expected to take maternity leave from her professional roles at Hauser & Wirth and The Anti-Slavery Collective.

It remains unclear whether she will resume public appearances at the level seen before her pregnancies. Her calendar is not managed by the royal household as a working royal would be.

Princess Eugenie’s Role in the Royal Family

Eugenie is not a working royal. She does not receive public funds for royal duties and is not listed as a senior member of the royal family on the official royal website. Her role is best described as a private individual who remains a public figure by birth. This distinction shapes everything about her public appearances, media coverage, and future trajectory.

The “royal fate” narrative that sometimes surrounds her and her sister Beatrice is a media construct rather than an official designation. They are non-working royals with private careers, a status that is unlikely to change in the near term.

Timeline of Key Events in Princess Eugenie’s Life

1. 1990: Born at Portland Hospital, London.
2. 2002: Diagnosed with scoliosis and undergoes surgery at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital.
3. 2012: Graduates from Newcastle University with a BA in English and History of Art.
4. 2018: Marries Jack Brooksbank at St George’s Chapel, Windsor.
5. 2021: Gives birth to first son, August Philip Hawke Brooksbank.
6. 2023: Gives birth to second son, Ernest George Ronnie Brooksbank.
7. May 2026: Announces third pregnancy.

What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear About Princess Eugenie?

Where Does Princess Eugenie Fit in the Royal Family?

Eugenie’s position in the line of succession has shifted over time. At birth she was sixth in line; she now sits 12th as of 2026, following the births of children to other royals. She and her sister Beatrice are often discussed together as “the York princesses,” a term that reflects their shared parentage and similar public profile: both are non-working royals with private careers, and both have faced media scrutiny linked to their father Prince Andrew’s controversies.

The impact of those controversies has shaped how Eugenie navigates public life. She has focused on charitable work—particularly anti-slavery advocacy—and maintained a low-key social media presence. Her BBC News profile notes that she has increasingly been covered in the context of family milestones rather than official engagements.

Sources and Notable Quotes on Princess Eugenie

“I couldn’t get out of bed on my own and remained on my back for ten days after the operation.”

— Princess Eugenie, discussing her scoliosis recovery, as reported by BBC News

“She chose a wedding dress design that showed her scar.”

— BBC News, on Eugenie’s deliberate decision to bare her surgical scar at her wedding

The official royal family website lists Eugenie among the non-working members of the royal family. Her profile there includes her education, marriage, and charitable activities but does not assign her official state duties.

The Anti-Slavery Collective website details her co-founding role and the organisation’s mission to end modern slavery. The group hosts events, produces educational content, and works with partners across sectors.

Summary: What to Expect Next for Princess Eugenie

The most immediate development is the birth of her third child, announced in May 2026. After a period of maternity leave, she is expected to return to her work at Hauser & Wirth and The Anti-Slavery Collective. Her long-term role in the royal family will likely remain that of a non-working royal, with public appearances limited to major family events and her own charitable initiatives. Speculation about a more formal royal role for her or her sister Beatrice remains just that—speculation, without official confirmation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Princess Eugenie